OUR recent budget article inspired Ailish McCarthy, the coordinator of the Longford Money Advice & Budgeting Service (MABS) to write about the Money Advice scheme.
"Set up by the Department of Social Welfare in response to the difficulties facing many in relation to debt and poor budgeting ... it is not restricted to a particular income bracket, but is designed to help those who may not be in a position to pay for professional help. Persons, in employment are not excluded.
Funded entirely by the Department there are now 39 Money Advice Centres around the country where people with money or budget problems can go for advice as well as practical help in dealing with creditors. Once the budget exercise is gone through, realistic repayments can be worked out. Aside from paying off debts MABS clients are also encouraged to save even small amounts each week to build up a good savings record with a bank, building society, or more ideally, the local credit union. A complementary `special account scheme' has also been set up allowing people to pay off their debts through the good offices of the Credit Union; all the main creditors, such as the local corporation, council, ESB, licensed moneylenders have all agreed to cooperate with the special account scheme.
The You and You? Money booklet is available from MABS offices, the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs, the Department of Social Welfare and all ESB outlets and sets out a six step programme to end up staying in control of your money (and not the other way around). These include writing drown all your income and spending, contacting the people you owe money to and telling them you have money problems, checking to ensure you are receiving all your benefits and allowances, putting things in order of priority, making offers to your creditors and finally planning your future credit options. The booklet also includes sample letters to send to creditors.
More information about this useful scheme is available from the Department of Social Welfare and information or citizens advice bureaux in your local community.
